Page 6 of Love Story

“Harmony Lake,” he said, his tone more definitive this time.“To your Aunt Harriet?”

“You know Aunt Harriet?”I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, but it sounded more surprised than I intended.

“If you’re big-city Ben who’s come to see her, then yes,” he replied.

“I am,” I said.“I mean, I’m not big-city Ben anymore.I’m just… But thank you for taking me back.Harriet is my aunt.Well, my great-aunt.”

I wasn’t making any sense, and I knew it.Heat crept up my neck as I stuck out my hand, desperate to salvage some semblance of composure.“Ben,” I said, my voice firmer this time.

The man shook my hand, his grip firm and warm.“Sam,” he said.

Sam.At least I had a name now for tall, dark, and broody.His blue eyes caught the light, sharp and striking, as if they saw right through me.There was an intensity in his sapphire gaze, a focus that made me feel both exposed and safe all at the same time.His brow furrowed as if trying to puzzle me out, and it was disarming—that mix of stern and soft.I found myself holding my breath.

“Are you sure you can take me back?”I asked.

“It’s where I’m going,” he said, draping his coat over my shoulders before I could protest.It was heavy and worn and smelled of woodsmoke, pine, and something warm I couldn’t place—maybe sugar.How did it smell of sugar?

“I don’t need this—I’ll be fine, I—”

“Take the damn coat,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind.“I’m not letting you freeze to death.”

I hesitated for a second, then sighed.“Okay, thanks.”

Dusk was settling outside as I followed him to his truck.His pace was brisk and deliberate, and I found myself struggling to match his long-legged stride.He was a foot taller than me, at least, and between the aches in my body and the throbbing in my head, I felt like I’d just gone ten rounds in a boxing ring.

“I need to get to my car,” I said, wincing as I stumbled on a patch of ice.“Is it okay?”

He quirked an eyebrow at me, which spoke volumes—the car, the only thing I had left that was too big to fit in a box—was toast.

“Joe will get it out and deliver it to Harriet’s,” Sam said without looking back.

“Joe?Okay.A mechanic?”

“Runs the Caldwell Garage.”

“Okay, and um… do I need to contact this Joe?Pay him up front?”

“No,” Sam replied, his voice clipped but not rude.“He’s already working on it.”

I blinked, surprised.“Oh.Uhm… thanks.”

When he realized I was lagging, he slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder.“You good?”

“Yeah,” I muttered, though I wasn’t sure that was true.My bruises had bruises, and every step made me feel like my body was protesting its very existence.But I wasn’t about to admit that out loud.

Sam stood there, and I forgot how to breathe.His blue eyes caught the light, bright and sharp, as though they could see right through me.His slim frame still somehow made his plaid shirt strain across his shoulders when he stretched, hinting at the strength beneath.

And then there were his jeans.Worn, snug in all the right places, framing his ass so perfectly it was almost unfair.He was gorgeous and I was caught somewhere between admiration and desire.My pulse quickened, my chest tightening with an ache I couldn’t quite name, but damn, I wanted to be able to stare at that ass all freaking day.

I swear they must have given me meds that screwed with my head.

I’m having thoughts about a man I don’t know while feeling like shit.

We reached his truck, a sturdy thing with worn edges that had seen its share of snowy roads.Sam unlocked it and pulled open the passenger door, holding it for me.I climbed in slowly, every movement a reminder of how much my body hated me right now.Before I could reach for the seat belt, he leaned in and buckled it for me, his fingers brushing my jacket.

“I’ve got it,” I started.

He shook his head.“Doc says you’re not concussed, so close your eyes and get some rest.”Then he tucked a blanket around me, and tears pricked my eyes.It had been forever since someone had fussed over me, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.His gruff tone and careful actions caught me off guard, leaving me dumbfounded.

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